Sustainable Savings

Precision Air Convey CEO Tom Embley shares some of his company’s eco- and wallet-friendly sustainable practices.

By Catherine Diamond, Associate Editor

Recently, L&NW examined the merits of greening the workplace. From cost-savings to an eco-friendly appeal, suppliers and converters alike are reaping the benefits of sustainable practices. One such supplier, Newark, DE, USA-based Precision Air Convey Corp. has adopted multiple internal practices to become more sustainable, while also continuing to expand its eco-friendly product offering. The company designs, manufacturers and installs automated trim and scrap removal systems.

Recently, PAC moved its operations to a newer and larger facility. According to CEO Tom Embley, the company has a longstanding history of sustainable practices. “We changed so many practices in our old facility that they’ve become common here,” he says. “We do all the recycling streams, segregating all waste in both manufacturing and in the office. This year, we’ve also added tinting to all windows to reduce utility costs,” he says, adding that the investment in window tinting was not significant, but has yielded “incredible” results in terms of heating and electricity bills.

A more significant investment made by PAC was specific to lighting. All of the bulbs in the new building were changed from standard to LEDs. “They have a two year return,” Embley explains. “It was a significant investment but it’s worth it, because the savings are so high.”

In addition to the installation of LED bulbs, every room in PAC’s new facility is equipped with either a motion detector or timer, so lights are only on when necessary. “About once a month I’ll be sitting still in my office and the lights go out,” Embley says with a laugh, “but other than that, it’s been great.” The company has also put timers on exhaust fans in restrooms so they no longer stay on all day long.

Paper recycling is another area where PAC has made strides. The company has started double-siding everything that is printed or copied, and has an ultimate goal of either eliminating or significantly reducing overall paper use. “We’re trying to create electronic forms and do practically everything electronically,” Embley says. “It saves trees, but it also creates efficiency for the business side. It’s all organized, and everyone can access the documents remotely.”

Embley notes that the environmental perks of adopting these cost-saving practices are an added bonus to what he considers an overall smart business plan. “I'm realistic,” he says. “And we like to do things that create a cash-positive.”

As the CEO of a company that offers its customers waste removal systems, Embley is uniquely suited to strategic, sustainable thinking. The green practices in place at PAC, he says, are influenced by the company’s sustainable product offerings, such as the EcoPAC Baler.

The EcoPAC Baler is designed to automatically densify waste into a bagged, palletized cube for waste removal via lift truck. Ideal for baling edge trim, label matrix and other waste, it was developed in accordance with a variety of OSHA directives and standards, and operates on a compact footprint. PAC estimates that its design takes up 80% less floor space than other horizontal balers.

Embley adds that, in addition to offering his customers waste-removing products, PAC also works to help its customers find outlets for it. “We’re helping our customers find places to send their waste, but its geographically driven,” he says. “The Northeast is the most expensive area, and the Midwest is the lowest. These guys can repurpose the waste and turn it into fuel and other things. And they’re charging either the same or slightly more than the landfill costs.”